Some feedback would be great, while I originally thought to consider this a finished piece I wouldn't mind fleshing out more details to really bring it to life (rivers, more land features etc).

Right now the main thing that's bothering me is the font, I wanted something that looked fantasy based, but I can't seem to get that old world feel to it.

I've already had some suggestions from Steel General to tweak the compass (and yes, looking at it now it does seem a little overlarge) and add a legend (i'm planning on removing the dude in the top left witha legend, it didn't quite look right anyhow).

the font still needs work though.. besides changing it back to english, does anyone have experience "aging" fonts to blend in to something like this? I'll likely figure out somthing in the next day or so, but I'm always on the lookout for new tricks :)

Naina

07-19-2009, 09:19 AM

One thing you can always do is use an eroded type of font, to reflect the ink chipping away from the page. I personally like
http://www.dafont.com/scurlock.font

Gandwarf

07-19-2009, 09:45 AM

That's a pretty cool map, have some rep.
I like the symbols you used for the mountains and forests and the aged look of the map. The compass is overly large, yes.

So why did you choose a font that's not readable? I always like to read the labeling...

Syt

07-19-2009, 10:01 AM

Very nice looking design. The only thing I could think of would be to have the "stripes" outside the coastlines not inside, as they were usually used to indicate shallow waters and better contrast the lands against the ocean. Otherwise I think it's pretty close to perfect. :)

Coyotemax

07-19-2009, 02:13 PM

Good idea on the pre-aged font, I'll look for some good ones.

I was originally looking to use a nonreadable font since it was going to be nothing more than a desktop background, and trying to read things seems more distracting to me - but I can see how it would be even more distracting to someone else trying to read it who didn't have the mindset while creating it :)

I see what you mean about the stripy bits going outside - I loved the effect so much I hadn't really noticed the inside/outside aspect.. My bad! will be fixed later today :)

Thanks everyone, so far!

Ascension

07-19-2009, 03:02 PM

If you want to distress your fonts then there are a few steps that we can do:

1. Make duplicates of all of the text layers.
2. Merge all of these duplicates together into one layer.
3. If your text is black then hit ctrl+i to invert it to white.
4. Ctrl-click this layer to load it as a selection.
5. At the bottom of the layer stack, click on the "Add Layer Mask" icon (it looks like a white circle within a gray square).
6. Play with all of the various filters. The changes will be made on the mask and not the actual layer so if you don't like the result then delete the mask and try something else. The one I use is Filter-Pixellate-Crystallize=12. Then I repat this but at 6 and 3.
7. If you don't like the way the text looks then try some different fonts...this is why we made duplicates of the originals.

Coyotemax

07-19-2009, 03:08 PM

ooh thanks.

I've been working with photoshop for years, and layers are my friends, but I've only recently been getting into adjustment layers and blending and masks.

Now that I have some time to dedicate towards learning and improving the process, I've been going throuhg tutorials like mad. hadn't come across anything quite like what you mentioned though.

Now you got me thinking I might try a pre-aged font and to the masking to that for additional oomph..

Coyotemax

07-19-2009, 06:08 PM

Ok, in the face of grave personal danger, I have a new updated version!

(and now I can go do the housework before my wife kills me, heh)

I took into account the suggestions and feedback, and now present Dannasis Island v2.0...

Not entirely sure I like the legend as it is now that i look at it after uploading, something doesn't feel right.

(after looking at it for a few mins at thumbnail size, it's a bit left-heavy as well, i need to add some bits to even the balance again)

Steel General

07-20-2009, 07:16 AM

For me I think the font you chose was perfect - fits very well with the style of the map.

Have some rep! *bonk*

Gandwarf

07-20-2009, 08:55 AM

Ah yes, this is much better. Glad you changed the font!

NeonKnight

07-20-2009, 09:07 AM

Me, I love it now, and my mind isn;t struggling to 'switch' land to water and vice versa like before.

GOOD JOB!

Coyotemax

07-20-2009, 11:24 AM

Thanks, I went through dafonts for about an hour, just looking at fonts. It's been so long since i've been there and my full font collection is on the desktop (i'm limited to bedrest right now, so everything is being done through the laptop, ugh! at least it's a nice one)

After I settled on that one, I decided to leave it as is once printed, no aging necessary. It's thin enough script I think adding effects to it would ruin the effect and overwhelm it.
It was the closest one I've seen to the real-worl antique maps 've been looking at.

Today I balance the map and see what to do about improving the legend...

Ascension

07-20-2009, 06:33 PM

Which is why I never said anything about the big compass as others did. I think you should put it back to being big to help the balance.

Coyotemax

07-20-2009, 11:26 PM

Well, in all fairness at the time the size comments were made, there was nothing much on the left that drew the eye over there.

That having been said, i think I made a fair compromise with the issue at this point.

I'm about ready to call it done, unless anyone can see something obvious I messed up.

(and thanks again for the feedback all, you've all been very helpful)

(i also have a version with a white background)

Ascension

07-21-2009, 01:03 AM

The balance looks great and its a very nice map...just wish it were bigger cuz I have a 1920 x 1200 monitor :)

Coyotemax

07-21-2009, 02:15 AM

I do have another map planned in a similar style, it will actually have a bit more of a purpose since it's for an actual game :)

And I will be taking things I learned from this experience and applying it there, and yes, it will be quite a bit larger :)